Lucky loser Brandon Holt to face Querrey in Home Court Advantage final

It’s been an eventful championship Sunday so far on Scott Douglas’ pristine clay court in Rolling Hills, CA. In the semifinals, Sam Querrey dispatched Ernesto Escobedo, 4-3 (6), 4-1, saving a set point down 6-5 in the first set tiebreak. On that set point, a ball popped out of Escobedo’s pocket for the second time. Escobedo tried to concede the point to Querrey, but since Querrey didn’t notice the errant ball he agreed to let Escobedo replay set point. Querrey even offered him a pair of his own shorts. If the 6’6” American isn’t on your list of favorite players, he probably should be. He couldn’t be nicer.

Unfortunately Bradley Klahn’s nagging back injury flared up during his warmup with Marcos Giron and he was forced to withdraw. Klahn has struggled with his back throughout his career, and has had two back surgeries. When asked if he’s felt this specific pain before, Klahn responded, “like a thousand times.” When healthy, Klahn is extremely dangerous, and quickly climbs into the world’s Top-100. Unfortunately a pain-free back has eluded him for most of his career.

Klahn was replaced by lucky-loser Brandon Holt, who conveniently lives just down the road. Holt stumbled onto the court looking a bit lethargic, as he wasn’t expecting to play, but to everyone’s surprise, the USC Trojan All-American played a flawless match and defeated the former UCLA Bruin Giron 4-3 (4), 4-3 (8). Holt will face off against heavy favorite Querrey in the final.